Atrial Cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiology and Clinical Consequences

Abstract

Around the world there are 33.5 million patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF) with an annual increase of 5 million cases. Most AF patients have an established form of an atrial cardiomyopathy. The concept of atrial cardiomyopathy was introduced in 2016. Thus, therapy of underlying diseases and atrial tissue changes appear as a cornerstone of AF therapy. Furthermore, therapy or prevention of atrial endocardial changes has the potential to reduce atrial thrombogenesis and thereby cerebral stroke. The present manuscript will summarize the underlying pathophysiology and remodeling processes observed in the development of an atrial cardiomyopathy, thrombogenesis, and atrial fibrillation. In particular, the impact of oxidative stress, inflammation, diabetes, and obesity will be addressed.

1. Introduction

In 1995, Allessie’s group introduced the term “atrial electrical remodeling”. His fundamental study showed that atrial fibrillation (AF) causes shortening of the atrial action potential and that, thereby, AF begets AF [1]. In the following year, Goette et al. reported about the underlying electrophysiological mechanism of atrial electrical remodeling [2]. In their model, autonomic blockade was induced with infusion of atropine and propranolol. Thereafter, high-rate atrial pacing was applied for a total of 7 h. Atrial effective and absolute refractory periods (ERP and ARP) were determined at least once an hour during 7 h of pacing. Of note, the infusion of verapamil abolished electrical remodeling. To determine whether the verapamil effect could be overcome by hypercalcemia, experiments were repeated with a combination of verapamil plus administration of calcium gluconate at the end of the study. Interestingly, reversal of the verapamil effect was seen suggesting that the anti-remodeling effect of verapamil is mediated by L-type calcium channel blockade, rather than a nonspecific drug effect. Furthermore, the effect of glibenclamide infusion was tested [2]. Glibenclamide per se did affect the magnitude or time course of electrical remodeling. Microscopic analyses of atrial tissue were normal in all experimental groups. There were no contraction bands, interstitial edema, cellular infiltration, or nuclear pyknosis [2]. However, electron microscopic studies showed mitochondrial swelling after 7 h of rapid atrial pacing. The mitochondrial swelling was associated with lysis of the mitochondrial cristae. Abnormalities of the transverse tubular system or of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were not seen. Verapamil treatment could prevent structural mitochondrial changes [2]. Thus, AF itself can cause electrical as well as structural changes in atrial myocytes. Further studies have shown that longer episodes of AF can indeed also cause damage to the cellular structure of atrial myocytes including the contractile apparatus, cellular organelles or cause cellular death. These structural changes induced by AF itself are summarized as AF-induced atrial cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, other cardiovascular diseases can cause substantial atrial alterations (atrial cardiomyopathies) without the presence of AF [3]. Thus, in many patients with AF the atrial cardiomyopathy appears as the driving factor for the development of AF in the future. Therefore, the first experimental studies about electrical remodeling do not resemble the full spectrum of electrophysiological and structural changes seen in patients with different types of AF [3,4,5,6,7,8].

2. Atrial Cardiomyopathy

Atrial cardiomyopathy is defined as any complex of structural, architectural, contractile or electrophysiological changes affecting the atria with the potential to produce clinically-relevant manifestations [3]. The term EHRAS (for European Heart Rhythm Association; EHRA/Heart Rhythm Society; HRS/Asian Pacific Heart Rhythm Association; APHRS/Latin American Society of Electrophysiology and Cardiac Stimulation; SOLAECE) classification was introduced by this consensus report. Four EHRAS classes were defined: (I) principal cardiomyocyte changes; (II) principally fibrotic changes; (III) combined cardiomyocyte-pathology/fibrosis; and (IV) primarily non-collagen infiltration (with or without cardiomyocyte changes). Nevertheless, EHRAS classes are not static and may vary over time, and therefore the EHRAS classification is purely descriptive [3]. cardiomyopathy is defined as any complex of structural, architectural, contractile or electrophysiological changes affecting the atria with the potential to produce clinically-relevant manifestations [3]. The term EHRAS (for EHRA/HRS/APHRS/SOLAECE) classification was introduced by this consensus report. Four EHRAS classes were defined: (I) principal cardiomyocyte changes; (II) principally fibrotic changes; (III) combined cardiomyocyte-pathology/fibrosis; and (IV) primarily non-collagen infiltration (with or without cardiomyocyte changes). Nevertheless, EHRAS classes are not static and may vary over time, and therefore, the EHRAS classification is purely descriptive [3].

3. Oxidative Stress as Central Mediator for Atrial Electrical and Structural Remodeling in AF

“Oxidative stress” has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiac/cardiovascular disease conditions among them myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and cardiotoxicity [9,10,11,12,13].

For decades, “oxidative stress” has taken center stage in its role as a main contributor to development and progression of AF and as a mediator of AF-induced atrial remodeling processes (Figure 1). A number of AF risk factors are closely associated with the increased formation of ROS. AF and a number of AF risk factors are closely related. Mechanistically, for example, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure share their proarrhythmogenic effects via increased formation of ROS/RNS, which can aggravate inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, special emphasis is given here to the role of ROS/RNS in atrial cardiomyopathy.

Figure 1.

Association between atrial fibrillation (AF) with cellular calcium overload, shortening of the action potential, oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species; ROS) and activation/expression of several pathways and genes, which interfere with cellular morphology/function and atrial thrombogenesis. Angiotensin II can modify several effects through activation of the AT1 receptor. Activation of different Mitogen activated kinases (MAP kinases) induce several cellular effects including cellular hypertrophy. In addition, calcium-activated phosphatases (calcineurin) and protease (calpain I) induce structural cellular changes. Oxidative stress is counterbalanced to some extent by activation of the antioxidant response element (ARE) and generation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX). NRF2 = nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor, Keap1 = Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1.

Of note, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed to some extent under physiological conditions where they are indispensable in maintaining cell signaling, redox homeostasis, proliferation, differentiation, and cell viability [14]. ROS can selectively alter the redox status of various molecular targets which quite specifically leads to functional alterations of, e.g., ion channel activity or activation of a variety of redox-sensitive signal transduction pathways. It is an excessive ROS production, however, that has been associated with pathogenesis cardiovascular disease [14]. Different oxidants affect distinct sets of target proteins through modifications that are specific both with respect to the oxidant and the site of modification. H₂O₂, for instance, preferentially oxidizes the thiol side chain of well-defined cysteinyl residues in targeted functional motifs [15]. The antioxidant equipment considerably differs between cell types and conditions cells are exposed to with respect to quantity and specificity. Furthermore, the antioxidant redox systems in the different cellular compartments, e.g., glutathione, NADPH, thioredoxin (Trx), and peroxidases, are not in equilibrium and are independently maintained at distinct redox potentials. Accordingly, in a more contemporary way, “oxidative stress” may be defined as the chronic disturbance of redox circuits and redox-responsive signal transduction pathways [16,17,18].

AF is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and has been repeatedly associated with increased “oxidative stress” (Figure 1). Evidence has been accumulated pointing to a linkage of “oxidative stress” to atrial remodeling during AF [19,20,21]. For reasons not fully understood, the efficacy of antioxidants to prevent AF and AF-dependent tissue remodeling has been largely disappointing.

Mihm et al. [21] were the first to demonstrate extensive oxidative damage in atrial myocardium from patients with AF. The oxidative damage was mainly mediated by peroxynitrite and was not observed in samples from patients in sinus rhythm (SR). Later it was shown that rapid atrial pacing lowers tissue ascorbic acid levels, whereas the abundancy of nitrated proteins increased along with a shortening of effective refractory period (ERP) [22]. Pre-treatment with vitamin C largely abolished all of these changes, indicating that tachycardia does effectively increase the concentration of ROS and RNS. The resulting nitration and carbonylation of cellular proteins impair myocardial energetic and electrophysiologic properties. Similarly, rapid pacing of in vitro differentiated cardiomyocytes [23] or human atrial tissue slices provoked oxidative modifications of proteins and mitochondrial dysfunction [24].

It has been shown that the cardiac excitation-contraction coupling components are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress and, thus, contribute to AF substrate formation [22,25,26,27,28]. However, dysregulation of ion channel function and Ca²⁺-handling have been identified as key phenomena contributing already to the onset of AF [29]. Along this line, it has been shown recently that the increased AF-inducibility and AF-duration observed in mouse models of type 1 diabetes mellitus is due to down-regulation of SCN5a/NaV1.5 gene expression in the absence of insulin [30]. Mitochondrial antioxidant therapy abrogated these alterations and reversed the obesity-induced AF burden. Indeed, diabetes mellitus and obesity are established risk factors not only for AF, but also for the development of CAD and diabetic cardiomyopathy [31,32,33,34]. Similarly, inducible AF in obese mice was found to result from a combined sodium, potassium, and calcium channel remodeling and was accompanied by atrial fibrosis [35]. The receptor of advanced-glycation end products (AGE) and signaling and hyperglycemia-dependent oxidative stress are the main drivers of diabetes-induced cardiac remodeling, which comprises cardiac (atrial) fibrosis, impaired Ca²⁺-handling myocyte hypertrophy, and increased apoptosis [33]. Specifically, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-related oxidative stress have been detected in CHD patients and were found to be elevated in patients with CHD and DM [36]. AF itself has substantial effects on mitochondrial structure and function: Lin et al. [37] described oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA and reduced ATP synthesis along with increased production of ROS that were due to initial calcium-overload. These findings could be confirmed by later studies [24]. A recent proteomics study identified mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione redox reaction I, Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response, and hepatic fibrosis among the ten top regulated canonical pathways in AF [38].

Increased production of ROS/RNS occurs immediately after new-onset AF as has been shown in patients with lone recurrent AF and for rapid atrial pacing models [25,39,40,41]. Acute episodes of AF induce redox-sensitive signaling/gene expression in the LV myocardium and compromise microvascular blood flow [7,24,42].

Gene expression profiling of atrial tissue samples from patients with SR and AF revealed a decreased expression of anti-oxidative genes, whereas that of several ROS-producing genes was increased [40]. A recent large-scale transcriptome approach [43] and a meta-analysis of available transcriptome data [44] confirmed the ample AF-dependent ion channel remodeling as well as the involvement of the inter-related oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis pathways.

Redox-regulation and mounting of anti-oxidative response mechanisms involves three important groups of enzymes, the glutaredoxins (GRX), peroxiredoxins (PRX), and thioredoxins (TRX; including the thioredoxin interacting protein, TXNIP). In the setting of AF, not much is known on their expression, activity, and specific function. Available data indicate decreased expression of PRX3 (along with decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels) in atrial tissue of dogs subjected to two weeks of ventricular tachypacing [45]. In acute rapid pacing in vivo (pig), elevated atrial mRNA expression of thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD1), PRX3, and SOD2 has been observed [7,42]. Recently, a protective role against mitochondrial oxidative stress and diabetes-induced hypertrophy has been assigned to thioredoxin 2 [46].

4. Sources of ROS/RNS

Several mechanisms and sources contribute to elevated ROS/RNS levels in cardiovascular disease, and during AF in particular (Figure 1). Mitochondria represent one major source of ROS and, during AF in response to existing risk factors, show substantial structural and morphological alterations (e.g., swelling and loss of cristae structure), but also become compromised functionally [23,24,47,48]. This is associated with increased production of superoxide anion radicals by the respiratory chain [49], particularly at complexes I and III of the respiratory chain [50]. Mitochondrial morphology and function could be largely preserved by limiting calcium influx via blockage of L-type calcium channels with verapamil. Likewise, mibefradil, which blocks L-type and T-type Ca²⁺ prevented the oxidation of cellular constituents and showed cytoprotective effects [51].

Similar to AF, ischemia also provokes alterations in cellular ionic homeostasis, in particular of calcium and sodium ions. Thereby, ischemia creates a substrate for AF maintenance [52,53]. Increased NCX currents and spontaneous Ca²⁺-release events contribute to increased spontaneous ectopy [54]. In pulmonary veins (PV), hypoxia-induced EAD and DAD as well as reoxygenation-induced PV burst firing represent important pro-arrhythmogenic mechanisms [55].

Besides mitochondria, a family of seven NADPH-dependent enzymes consisting of the “NADPH oxidases” Nox 1–5 and Duox 1–2 represent a second important source of ROS during AF [56]. Different isoforms for the key catalytic subunit, Nox, exist in nonphagocytic cells, including cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Although non-phagocyte NADPH oxidases show some constitutive activity, their activity can be further up-regulated in response to a broad variety of stimuli that are common to major risk factors of AF such as hypertension and diabetes and include angiotensin II (AngII), endothelin-1 (ET-1), growth factors, cytokines, and mechanical stress [57,58,59,60]. Nox2 and Nox4 are the isoforms predominantly expressed in cardiac cells. Nox1 is expressed particularly in vascular smooth muscle cells and responsible for extracellular superoxide production in coronary arterial myocytes [61]. Nox4 produces mainly hydrogen peroxide and only small amounts of superoxide anion intracellularly [62]. In cardiomyocytes, increased Nox4 expression is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis [63,64]. Overexpression of Nox4 in zebrafish embryos induces an arrhythmogenic phenotype [65], an effect mediated by increased ROS production and subsequent activation of CaMKII. Nox1 contributes to the hypertensive response to AngII [61,66]. Increased left ventricular (LV) expression of Nox2, Nox1, and Nox4 has been observed in an animal model of acute AF [7,42]. The AT1 receptor antagonist, irbesartan, and the multichannel inhibitor, dronedarone, efficiently prevented the up-regulation of Nox2 [7,42]. Apocynin, an inhibitor of Nox, attenuated RAP-dependent electrical remodeling, AF inducibility and duration in rabbits [67]. Myocardial overexpression of Nox2 in mice elevated superoxide production in the atria and led to a moderate increase in AF-inducibility [68]. However, there was no indication of any electrical or structural atrial remodeling going on and, accordingly, it is concluded that Nox2 overexpression and resulting elevated amounts of superoxide do not contribute to the maintenance of AF.

A shift from NADPH oxidase to other cellular sources of ROS which include xanthine oxidase, [69], monoamine oxidase [70], and uncoupled eNOS [71] occurs with increasing duration of AF. This mechanism agrees with the observation that statins, which reduce ROS production by NADPH oxidases via inhibition of Rac1, are effective in acute models of AF and in patients with post-operative AF, but fail to do so in models of long-lasting AF or patients with permanent AF. Furthermore, xanthine oxidase inhibition prevented AF induction by preventing both electrical and structural remodeling [69].

eNOS is a homodimeric enzyme that oxidises l-arginine to NO and l-citrullin. For this reaction, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and Ca²⁺-activated calmodulins are essential cofactors [72]. BH4 facilitates enzyme dimerization and stabilizes the active form that produces predominantly NO [73]. In the absence of BH4 or upon its oxidation, eNOS uncouples to monomers which produce large amounts of superoxide anions and, subsequently, of ONOO⁻ instead [72]. Reduced expression of eNOS further contributes to reduced plasma levels of NO observed during AF [74] which are restored after successful cardioversion into sinus rhythm [75,76].

Furthermore, AF is associated with increased levels of ADMA, an endogenous inhibitor of eNOS [77,78]. Upon restoration of sinus rhythm ADMA levels return to normal within 24h. AF and RAP per se up-regulate ADMA and may thereby cause the microcirculatory flow abnormalities observed in AF [77]. Altered NO generation is also known to influence mechanical performance of the ventricles and, therefore, increased ADMA levels might be related to abnormalities in Ca²⁺ handling and contractility [79,80]. AF or rapid pacing have been shown to reduce eNOS expression, an effect which could be attenuated by the angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker, olmesartan [81]. Similarly, losartan prevented the reduction of eNOS expression after myocardial infarction, which prevented subsequent AF induction [82]. However, alterations in eNOS expression and activity might depend on concomitant diseases, rather than on the presence of AF per se. This view is supported by an immunohistological study showing no independent association of AF and endocardial/myocardial eNOS expression in atrial samples [83].

In right atrial appendages (RAA), monoamine oxidase (MAO) has been identified as a substantial source of ROS [70]. MAO, a mitochondrial enzyme, catalyzes the oxidative deamination and, thus, inactivation of catecholamines. H₂O₂ is formed as a by-product in this reaction. MAO plays a causal role in cardiac dysfunction in response to pressure overload due to oxidative stress [84,85]. MAO is associated with an increased risk for post-operative-AF [70].

4.1. Redox-Regulated Signaling Pathways

Although the excessive production of ROS/RNS contributes to cellular damage, physiological levels rather induce reversible and site-specific protein modifications that define “redox signaling” processes which are subject to stringent spatial and temporal regulation [86]. Covalent modification of cysteine thiols or oxidation of iron-sulfur-clusters in proteins, S-glutathionylation, and S-nitrosylation/S-nitrosation (SNO) have all been identified as major mechanisms mediating ROS-specific effects (for review see [86]). It is well established that these mechanisms contribute to AF development and progression by altering e.g., ion channel activity. More recently, the oxidation of methionine which results in the formation of methionine sulfoxide, and the regeneration of methionine by the thioredoxin-dependent methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) has been identified as an additional mechanism linking ROS with AF [19,87]. In their conclusive study, Purohit et al. show that oxidized Ca²⁺ and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a crucial role in mediating the AngII/RAP-dependent induction of AF [87]. AngII, elevated plasma and tissue levels of which are common to most risk factors for AF, and RAP were shown to turn CaMKII constitutively active by the oxidation of its methionine amino acid residues 281/282 [87,88]. This increase in the amounts of oxidized CaMKII occurred without any changes of total amounts of CaMKII. The substantial contribution of AngII in this activation has been emphasized by demonstrating that inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACEi) or angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ATRBs) prevent CaMKII oxidation/activation [87]. Mechanistically, activated CaMKII increases Ca²⁺-leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via enhanced phosphorylation of RyR2 [89]. Elevated diastolic Ca²⁺ concentrations are responsible for the resulting increase in AF inducibility and duration. In this way, CaMKII functions as a cellular sensor for ROS that links the important pathogenetic factors AngII, Nox, and Ca²⁺ with AF.

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a key transcription regulator coupling redox state to the transcriptional regulation in various pathophysiological settings, including AF [90]. Elevated intracellular calcium levels, AngII and ROS, PDGF, CTGF and TGF-β1, all associated with AF-dependent structural remodeling, are major activators of the immediate early response transcription factor NF-κB [7,17,24,91,92,93,94,95,96]. Interestingly, increased Rac-1 levels may also contribute to NF-κB activation during RAP or AF [97,98,99].

The typical target genes of NF-κB comprise pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 and TNFα, but also endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, the cardiac sodium channel SCN5A, and the endothelial oxidized low-density lipoprotein (lectin-like) receptor, LOX-1 [24,90,91,92]. NF-κB contributes also to the induction of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression [100]. HO-1 is a redox-sensitive inducible protein that supports cytoprotection against “oxidative stress” under diverse unrelated conditions [101]. The HO-1 promoter contains responsive elements for NF-κB, AP-1 and 2, and Nrf2, the latter being of particular importance for HO-1 expression [102].

RAP and AF not only contribute to structural, electrical, and endocardial/endothelial remodeling in the atria; rapid atrial pacing has been shown to activate the NF-κB pathway also in the left ventricle [7]. In line with this ventricular activation of NF-κB, established target genes of NF-κB were up-regulated which included VEGFA [103,104], Fn14, CCL2 [105], HIF1A [95,106] as well as DnaJ family members. DNAJA4 and DNAJB9 are co-chaperones for the ATPase activity of Hsp70 and protect stressed cells from apoptosis [107]. DNAJA4 and DNAJB9 are both antioxidant response element (AREs) -regulated genes which become activated through nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in response to oxidative stress. After phosphorylation by e.g., PKC, Nrf2 translocates to the nucleus where it binds to AREs and trans-activates target genes including enzymes such as peroxiredoxin I that regulate the intracellular amounts of ROS [108].

The Nrf2 signaling pathway is closely linked to the development of cardiac diseases such as AF, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease [109]. Recent data indicate that the cellular redox state is subject to regulation by miRNAs through modulating Nrf2-dependent anti-oxidant gene expression or attenuating activities of ROS handling enzymes [110]. These mechanisms in turn can affect miRNA expression/activity [111,112,113]. Mounting evidence demonstrates the importance of miRNAs for the regulation of cardiac physiology [114]. In particular, miRNAs regulate cardiac excitability and arrhythmogenesis, as first shown for the abundantly expressed miRNAs in the heart, miR-1, -133, and -328 [115,116,117]. Meanwhile, the number of miRNAs with an established role in cardiac remodeling or altered expression during AF has substantially increased [114,118,119,120]. Of these AF-associated miRNAs, a few have been already identified as regulators of ROS generation (miR-25, miR-146a) [110].

Hypoxia-inducible factors (Hifs) are heterodimeric factors that control a hypoxia-induced gene expression profile aimed at counteracting adverse cellular and systemic effects of limitations in oxygen supply. Of the three mammalian isoforms, Hif1α probably is the most intensive studied one. Hif1α levels are regulated by oxygen tension at transcriptional, translational, and post-translational level, with O₂-dependent protein stability being the best characterized regulatory mechanism [121]. Under normoxic conditions, the sufficiently available O₂ is used by prolyl-hydroxylase domain-containing enzymes (PHD) for the corresponding modification of Hif1α, which then becomes a target for ubiquitinoylation by von Hippel-Lindau complex and proteasomal degradation [121]. Hypoxia prevents this degradation and, thereby enables the binding of Hif1α/β heterodimers to hypoxia-response elements in the promoters of target genes. These include metabolic and angiogenic factors. In response to RAP or during AF, increased Hif-1α expression has been observed, together with elevated expression of the Hif-target genes, VEGFA and PPARGC1α [42]. Both factors are induced in response to hypoxia or deprivation of nutrients [122,123]. Under the same conditions, and independent of this canonical HIF-pathway, elevated PPARGC1α levels exert strong angiogenic activity and induce VEGF expression by co-activating ERR-α [122]. Thus, both HIF-1α and PPARGC1α mediate the angiogenic response to AF-dependent flow alterations and may provide protection against ischemic damage.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is another established target gene of HIF. Accordingly, LOX expression was found to be induced in response to hypoxia/ischemia. Recent work established a role of LOX in cardiovascular function and disease, including AF [124,125,126,127]. LOX is a copper-dependent amine oxidase expressed and secreted by vascular smooth muscle cells and other fibrogenic cells, which initiates the cross-linking of collagen and elastin [128]. During the oxidative deamination of (hydroxyl)-lysine residues highly reactive semi-aldehydes and H₂O₂ are generated. Catalytic forms of LOX have been also detected in nuclei and cytosol, but their function remains to be elucidated fully [129,130]. Increased expression of LOX together with increased collagen cross-linking has been observed in left atria of patients with AF [124]. AngII and Rac1 were shown to mediate the up-regulation of LOX expression [124]. If and to what extent H₂O₂ generated by LOX contributes to atrial redox signaling and the ROS-dependent generation of AF substrate is not clear, yet (Figure 1). However, LOX and LOX-derived H₂O₂ are potent chemoattractants for monocytes and VSMC [131,132], which could well contribute to atrial cardiomyopathy and AF-related remodeling [133,134].

4.2. Role of Cellular Inflammatory Pathways

The pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases including myocarditis, heart failure and myocardial infarction involves inflammation and inflammatory cytokines [135]. This has also demonstrated for AF [29]. Inflammation mediates structural remodeling, and fibrosis in particular, induces cellular damage, apoptosis, fibrosis, and subsequent (atrial) dilatation [136]. Inflammatory biomarkers associated with AF include interleukins-6, -8, and -2, CRP, TNFα, MCP-1, and HSP27 [137]. In atrial biopsy specimens from patients with lone AF, inflammatory infiltrates, myocyte necrosis, and fibrosis could be detected that were absent in the ventricles [138]. Mechanistically, it has been shown for TNFα, that it disturbs calcium homeostasis and activates the NPL3 inflammasome, thereby further aggravating inflammatory cytokine production (Figure 2) [139,140,141]. Of note, angiotensin II represents one major contributing factor in the induction of cardiac inflammation, which is partly mediated by activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and induction of TNFα [142,143]. CRP and interleukin-6 were shown to be positively correlated to left atrial diameter [144] and elevated levels increase the risk for vascular death and thromboembolic events [145]. CRP levels decrease after restoring sinus rhythm and predict the recurrence of AF [146,147,148,149].

Figure 2.

Interaction of atrial fibrillation (AF), CaMKII (Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II), and NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3)-inflammasome.

4.3. Role of Adipose Tissue/Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, represent major risk factors for AF [150,151,152,153,154]. As mentioned above, AF and its risk factors are closely interwoven and, as a common mediator, share increased ROS production. With respect to adipose tissue, the risk for new-onset AF increases with each unit increment of the body mass index (BMI) by up to 8% [150,152]. In the general population, obesity leads to a 49% increased risk for AF [151]. Total visceral, epicardial, and intrathoracic fat provoke different effects on the cardiovascular system [155,156]. The epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is closely associated with paroxysmal and persistent AF, independently of “classical” risk factors such as left atrial diameter (LAD) [157]. Amounts of EAT are independently related to AF recurrence after ablation [158]. Fibrosis represents a hallmark of structural atrial remodeling during AF [159] but, whenever induced in the heart, it serves as a powerful substrate for AF. Fibrosis can be induced by exogeneous factors [160], cardiovascular disease, and, according to the pioneering work of Hatem and his group, epicardial adipose tissue under certain clinical conditions is capable of inducing atrial fibrosis via adipokine secretion [161]. Furthermore, subepicardial adipose tissue could be replaced eventually by fibrosis [162]. Very recently, a key role in this process could be assigned to two distinct progenitor cell populations which become mobilized in the epicardial tissue under pathological conditions [163].

Comorbidities induce changes in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and oxLDL, which activates the atrial NLRP3 inflammasome. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate the NLRP3 inflammasome, which causes stimulation of caspase-1 maturates interleukin (IL)-1β. Thereby, IL-6 and CRP (C-reactive protein) are increased. IL-1β amplifies the NLRP3 inflammatory signaling. NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (modified from [164,165]).

Total and LA EAT volumes as well as left periatrial EAT thickness are greater in persistent AF versus paroxysmal or no AF [158,166,167,168]. EAT distribution around the LA is uneven with most EAT located within regions superior vena cava, right pulmonary artery, right-sided roof of the LA, aortic root, pulmonary trunk, left atrial appendage, and between the left inferior PV and left atrioventricular groove [158,169]. EAT locations were associated with high dominant frequency (DF) sites, and thereby EAT is contributing to AF maintenance [167,170]. Recent data suggests that the contribution of EAT to the AF substrate may differ between LA and RA [170]. By releasing e.g., adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, pericardial adipose tissue links AF with inflammation and obesity [168,171,172,173,174]. Elevated levels of CRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor 1α (TNF1α), and of the adipokine, resistin, have been associated with AF [175]. Elevated post-operative serum levels of resistin seem to increase the risk of AF after coronary artery bypass graft surgery [176]. Expansion of adipose tissue leads to a chronic inflammatory response, mediated to a large extent via activation of JNK and NF-κB signaling [177]. Activated pro-inflammatory cytokine expression as well as metabolic changes contribute to the development of AF comorbidities [177]. In addition to these humoral effects, epicardial adipocytes can modulate the electrophysiological properties of neighboring cardiomyocytes by direct interaction [178]. Adipocyte accumulation within the myocardium may disturb atrial conduction and favor the development and persistence of re-entry circuits [179]. Likewise, the presence of intramyocardial adipose or lipomatous metaplasia increased the propensity to ventricular tachycardia in an ovine model of ischemic cardiomyopathy [180]. Both mechanisms may be supported by AF-dependent changes in atrial (or cardiac) gene expression. In addition to these humoral effects, epicardial adipocytes can modulate the electrophysiological properties of neighboring cardiomyocytes by direct interaction [177]. Adipocyte accumulation within the myocardium may disturb atrial conduction and favor the development and persistence of re-entry circuits [178]. Likewise, the presence of intramyocardial adipose or lipomatous metaplasia increased the propensity to ventricular tachycardia in an ovine model of ischemic cardiomyopathy [179]. Both mechanisms may be supported by AF-dependent changes in atrial (or cardiac) gene expression.

According to the meta-analysis presented by Huxley et al. [181], diabetic patients have a 40% higher risk of developing AF than non-diabetics. Oxidative stress and the resulting inflammation are established key mediators of AF in the diabetic, metabolically stressed heart [182,183,184,185]. Impaired electron transport through the respiratory chain and hyperglycemia have been identified as sources of elevated ROS production in animal models and diabetic patients [186,187]. Mechanistically, delayed after depolarizations (DADs) cause triggered activity to induce AF. DADs may result from calcium leakage from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via oxidation of ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2). Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII), normally activated by increased Ca²⁺ levels, could be alternatively activated by oxidation (e.g., by mitochondrial ROS) [184,188]. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are other essential mediators between diabetes, overweight, and AF. AGEs represent an inhomogeneous group of lipids and proteins which are formed by non-enzymatic glycation and, therefore, their formation rate correlates with the average blood sugar level. Under diabetic conditions, but also in obesity and metabolic dysfunction, AGEs accumulate and increase cardiac stiffness by crosslinking matricellular and extracellular matrix proteins and trigger pro-inflammatory signaling via binding to receptors of AGE (RAGE), preferentially on fibroblasts [189]. In addition to cytokine induction, RAGE activation stimulates fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production [190]. This pro-fibrotic process is substantially mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) [191]. The activation of the local renin-angiotensin-system and in particular its classical angiotensin II (AngII)—angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) axis represents a hallmark of AF [192,193,194,195]. Similar to other pathogenetic factors, also increased local and systemic AngII levels have been associated with all four determinants of the metabolic syndrome, namely hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, and hyperlipidemia [196,197,198]. AngII affects the differentiation of progenitor cells and pre-adipocytes [199,200,201,202]. Accordingly, AT1R blockers and ACE inhibitors were shown to influence adipogenesis and adipocyte function, including the production and release of adipokines [203,204,205,206,207,208].

5. Atrial Endocardial Remodeling as a Cause of Thrombogenesis and Stroke

The concept of ‘endocardial remodelling’ in AF was introduced by the consensus document on atrial cardiomyopathies [3]. In accordance with Virchow’s triad hypercoagulability, flow abnormalities, and endothelial changes co-exist to cause atrial thrombogenesis (Figure 1). Studies have demonstrated endocardial changes in atrial tissue specimens. Prothrombogenic factors (vWF, adhesion molecules VCAM-1, P-selectin, MCP-1) are expressed at the surface of endothelial cells causing platelets and leucocytes to adhere to the atrial endocardium in particular in the left atrial appendage [83,193,209], which causes the initiation of thrombus formation [209,210]. Diseases or conditions such as diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and ageing (CHA2DS2VASc Parameters) are known to increase alterations by oxidative stress pathways within endothelial cells, and thereby further increase the expression of prothrombogenic molecules. These changes are not related to the presence of absence of AF, explaining why atrial thrombogenesis is still increased even during sinus rhythm in certain subgroups of patients [211,212]. Recently, post hoc studies from large randomized controlled trials suggested that the burden of AF (Figure 3) as well as the type of AF (paroxysmal versus persistent/permanent AF) might be a factor, which drives differences in patient outcome [213,214,215,216,217]. Such clinical differences might be explained at least to some extent by differences in atrial cardiomyopathies and ventricular oxidative stress levels during various types of AF [210].

Figure 3.

Impact of type of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal AF, persistent AF) on clinical outcome. The recent hypothesis is that the burden of AF contributes to differences in the occurrence of specific clinical events such as cognitive decline, stroke, or myocardial infarction. At the molecular level, differences can be explained by activation of a difference in cellular oxidative stress pathways, which are regulated or counter-regulated during the course of an AF episode. Impact of type of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal AF, persistent AF) on clinical outcome. The recent hypothesis is that the burden AF contributes to differences in the occurrence of specific clinical events such as cognitive decline, stroke or myocardial infarction. At the molecular level, differences can be explained by activation of difference cellular oxidative stress pathways, which are regulated or counter-regulated during the course of an AF episode. Diseases or conditions such as diabetes mellitus, history of stroke, heart failure, ageing, sex, and vascular diseases are summarized in the CHA2DS2VASc Score. Impact of type of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal AF, persistent AF) on clinical outcome. The recent hypothesis is that the burden of AF contributes to differences in the occurrence of specific clinical events such as cognitive decline, stroke or myocardial infarction. At the molecular level, differences can be explained by activation of differences in cellular oxidative stress pathways, which are regulated or counter-regulated during the course of an AF episode.

6. Conclusions

ROS/RNS and redox signaling have been implicated as the central component in the process of atrial remodeling. Redox-signaling contributes to tissue remodeling and self-perpetuation of AF. Nevertheless, so far antioxidant/redox-modifying therapies have not been shown to prevent, terminate, or reverse AF-induced atrial remodeling.

Author Contributions

Writing—original draft preparation, A.G. and U.L.; writing—review and editing, A.G. and U.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

A.G.: EU Grant Horizon 2020 MAESTRIA Consortium; grant number 965286. Speaker fees from Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Bayer Health Care, Berlin Chemie, Biotronik, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS/Pfizer, Boston Scientific, Daiichi-Sankyo, Medtronic, Menarini, Omeicos, Sanofi-Aventis, and Viofor. U.L.: None to declare.